<div style="font-size:10pt;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;color:black;"><table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellpadding="0" style="mso-cellspacing:1.5pt; mso-yfti-tbllook:1184">
<tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-irow:0;mso-yfti-firstrow:yes">
<td colspan="2" style="padding:3.75pt 0in 3.75pt 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">I liked <b>the introduction of Ms. Hoity toity. <o:p></o:p></b></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">She made an impression. <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">She showed up twice, <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">so I’m expecting that she plays a mager role in the<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>overall story.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">She is the most likely person to create any fireworks in
that sleepy little town. The big question now is, “Will the young reporter
stay or leave?” <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">Right now, that question and the bomb shell are the two
sources of conflict. <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">You have a good start<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>and opportunity to exploit those two issues. <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"">I love the descriptions of Veronica in both meeting
episodes.<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow:1">
<td nowrap="" valign="top" style="padding:.75pt 3.75pt .75pt 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="margin-bottom:0in;text-align:right; line-height:normal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
</td>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow:2">
<td nowrap="" valign="top" style="padding:.75pt 3.75pt .75pt 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="margin-bottom:0in;text-align:right; line-height:normal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
</td>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow:3">
<td nowrap="" valign="top" style="padding:.75pt 3.75pt .75pt 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="margin-bottom:0in;text-align:right; line-height:normal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Martia sub for Feb 21<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
</td>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow:4;mso-yfti-lastrow:yes">
<td nowrap="" valign="top" style="padding:.75pt 3.75pt .75pt 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="margin-bottom:0in;text-align:right; line-height:normal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
</td>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">“Ruff, ruff!!!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">Harvest Festival<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">2107 words<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">I stopped into the Lake Holland Museum to learn
more about my adopted community. The local historical society maintained an
impressive collection of memorabilia in a renovated Victorian. Each wall at the
museum was crammed with historical photos. Hilda, my elderly guide, chatted
while I clomped from room to room and viewed the displays. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">“The town was established 200 years ago, mostly
by German and Polish immigrants,” Hilda said. “Early settlers were attracted to
Michigan by promises of land and religious freedom. The industrial revolution
later brought factory jobs to the area,” she added.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">“Farming still supports our economy, but most of
our young people now work at the furniture factory. These days, farmers use
coloreds and Mexicans from down south to pick the fall harvest. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><b><u><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> Colored was a word we used without prejudice
back in those days. <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><b><u><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">But recently I was questioned<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>when I used it in my own piece. <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><b><u><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">A younger person says it was not his experience.
<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><b><u><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">Was it yours.<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><b><u><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">I was startled by Hilda’s use of the word
“colored.” I had noticed dark-skinned laborers in fields surrounding Lake
Holland, but hadn’t thought much about it. Racial riots during the 1960s had
resulted in equal rights for blacks, especially in northern and western states,
I thought. I’d only read about migrant farm workers in textbooks or Steinbeck’s
“The Grapes of Wrath.” Stuck in the 50s, the civil rights movement apparently
hadn’t reached Lake Holland.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">Despite the lack of diversity and Hilda’s dated
vocabulary, I found myself envious of small town traditions and history. Unlike
Lake Holland residents who were rooted in one place for generations, my
ancestors, mostly European, could be traced back to six different countries.
The Krumps weren’t really “from” anywhere in particular. Making matters worse,
my father served in the Air Force moving us five times in 15 years. Branches of
my family were split between Colorado, Indiana, Florida, and California.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">In contrast, the Lake Holland Museum documented
decades of heritage. Holiday parades, festivals, and celebrations connected the
community. I thought I recognized a younger Officer Braun in a photograph of a
hunter posing with the carcass of that year’s biggest buck.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">“The town’s annual Harvest Festival is always
held the first weekend after Halloween, Friday night through Sunday afternoon.”
Hilda pointed to an album of photos. That year, I’d be the reporter taking
photos of the popular family event including a barn dance, tractor rides, a pie
cooking contest, and food fest.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">In for a penny, I thought, in for a dollar. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><b><u><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">That’s in for a penny, in for a pound.<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">In order to fit in, I wanted to dress for the event.
Where does one “find” a barn dance costume, anyhow? Well, if you grew up with a
mother who sewed all your childhood clothes, including the gown you wore to the
prom, you pull out her old straight-stitch Singer that was handed down to you
and get to work.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">The only image I could conjure for an outfit was
denim overalls with a plaid wool shirt. I visited Ferguson’s Notions one block
off Main Street and selected a pattern and fabric. I splurged on a cheap pair
of cowgirl boots at the second-hand store. A’la my Sadie Hawkins high school
dance, I’d tie my hair in braids and a bandana around my neck.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:21.0pt;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:21.0pt;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">Dressed in my jaunty outfit, camera in hand, I
joined the frolic that Saturday around noon. </span><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"PT Sans",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#2D2D2D">Volunteer fire
fighters and their wives had transformed the covered pavilion at Lake Holland
Park into a super charming barn setting. A friendly scarecrow waved a welcome
flag in the fall breeze. Picnic tables covered in red-checked cloth circled the
dance floor. A live band pumped out country music. People of all shapes and sizes
hooked arms and twirled to”Turkey In The Straw.” Yellow squash and corn husks
roasted on gargantuan grills. baskets filled with apples and small pumpkins
anchored a long row of serving tables. For five dollars, it was “all you could
eat.” </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#333333">For another five, I
was handed two tickets for spiced cider. </span><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"PT Sans",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#2D2D2D">Children </span><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">joked and jostled in line for hot chocolate and
homemade caramel apples.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:21.0pt;background:white"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"PT Sans",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#2D2D2D"> </span><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:21.0pt;background:white"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"PT Sans",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#2D2D2D">Making the rounds,
I sampled ham, potato Salad, Apple Cake, pumpkin bread, and </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#333333">donuts. I passed on the chili when I
learned it was made with Bambi, I mean venison. </span><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"PT Sans",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#2D2D2D">Thankfully,
overalls don’t have a waist band. My stomach was stretched to its limit. . The
weight of all those carbs plastered me to the bench, but two mugs of cider
warmed with whiskey had loosened my </span><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">limbs . . . and inhibitions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">Robbie Braun grabbed my hand and I bounced up
like I knew how to square dance. Round and round we stomped, bumping into my
boss, his brother the mayor, the Garden Club lady, and the gas station manager.
Maybe I fit in?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">Too soon, the lively tune ended. Without so much
as a nod, Robbie deposited me at my empty plate and turned to search for his
next dance partner. His rear end looked as manly in Levi’s as it did in his
tailored cop uniform. The look of a clean cut country man showed me a new kind
of sexy. I’d been around long-haired college men wearing rock band T-shirts for
too long, I thought.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">The band launched into a waltz as I dreamily
watched Robbie retreat. </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#333333">Interrupting
my fantasy, a curvaceous red-haired woman dressed as a country sprite blocked
my view. Who was she? The wench sashayed across the dance floor in delicate
slippers and plucked Robbie from the arms of his current partner. </span><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">He veered her way without missing a step.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">Bright flashes of red and blue gingham filled my
vision. </span><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">The curvaceous woman and
Robbie pranced and danced, twirled and twisted around tables, hooting and
hollering as if they’d been partners for years. The elastic neckline of the
cowgirl’s dress fell off her shoulders. The fitted bodice pushed her deep cleavage
to maximum advantage. Even after the band stopped playing, Robbie stood fixed
like a deer in the headlights.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#444444">“Don’t take my
man,” a female vocalist appropriately belted out Dolly Parton’s latest hit,
“Jolene.”</span><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#444444"> </span><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#444444">I was
outclassed. </span><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">If I looked green, I’d
blame it on the cider. Revelers began lighting lanterns and candles. Darkness
advanced earlier following the previous week time change. Dancing and drinking
would carry on well into the night, but I needed to drive home before dark to
avoid turning into a pumpkin. Anyway, experience had taught me that most men
aren’t worth a cat fight.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:#444444"> </span><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">I bolted from the pavilion and tripped. Uneven
pavement caught the heel of my boot. I rummaged among brittle leaves for my
lost footwear, but unlike Cinderella, Prince Robbie didn’t pursue me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">Who was I kidding? I didn’t belong in Lake
Holland any more than back home in Colorado. Unmoored and adrift, I was
stranded in a make-believe town like Mayberry R.F.D., where everyone but me had
been born, where everyone but me had a family history, where everyone belonged,
but me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">Tears of disappointment welled in my eyes.
Should I reconsider my move and look for another job? I struggled with the
question as I drove. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">At my apartment, an unexpected envelope lay like
an omen on the first step inside my screen door. The name of a photographer I’d
dated in Colorado appeared in the top left corner. He wrote, “Come back to
Colorado. There’s an upcoming opening at the Fort Collins daily where I’m
working now. The paper has a modern newsroom with digital typesetting. You’d be
impressed. Stay tuned.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">I hesitated. If I gave up and returned to
Colorado, it would be for the job, not the photographer. He was a nice enough
guy, but I had no interest in pursuing the relationship long-term. Although
eager to learn more about the job, I postponed my reply.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">Over the next month, I focused on my job at The
Breeze. As consolation, I discovered that I enjoyed working for Mr. K more than
I’d expected. As his only reporter, I had free reign to poke my nose into
everyone’s business. My “press credentials” granted me entry into almost any
meeting to observe the goings on. With few exceptions, I assigned myself to
write whatever stories I wanted. Virtually every word I wrote was published. I
covered politics, community events, schools, police, business, and feature
news. Talk about variety!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">Bent over my typewriter, crunching a carrot
stick, I was distracted by a commotion.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">“Let me talk to the reporter.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">Most days, Sue efficiently ran interference in
the front office. She patiently explained the difference between paid display
advertising and news. Often, business owners angled for free publicity to avoid
buying advertising space, as if the introduction of a new line of work boots at
their store was big news.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">A conspicuous “News” basket was placed on the
front counter to catch such announcements. This strategy usually prevented
visitors from crashing into the more sober news room in the back. Each day, the
editor or I would cull through the stack of hand-scribbled notices and
invitations, and separate fluff from fact.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">“The editor must see this right away. He may
have questions.” The demanding woman in the front office wasn’t about to be
dissuaded. My swivel chair squeaked when I stood to rescue Sue.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">“May I help you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">“You’re the reporter?” Without waiting for a
reply, the brash woman rushed ahead with her news.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">I blinked and cleared my vision. An exotic
figure with flaming hair, sculpted cheekbones, burgundy lips, and deep cleavage
that belonged on the cover of Cosmopolitan greeted me with a professional
handshake. This creature looked out of place in the small town. She was close
to my age or perhaps slightly older, but that’s where our resemblance ended.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">“I’m on deadline. Could you leave your news in
the basket and we’ll be happy to take a look at it later?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">Burgundy lips fanned a piece of paper in front
of my face. Four inches taller in fashionable heels. Her ample chest heaved
inches away from my eyes. Oh, was she the bosomy bitch from the Harvest Fest?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">I plucked the page from her precisely painted
fingertips. Scanning the news release gave me a reason to avert my eyes from
her graphic image. She pursed her lips and waited for my reply.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">December 1, 1976<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Veronica
Derringer, Corporate Communications Manager<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">Lake Holland Furniture is hosting an open house
for the community in honor of its 75<sup>th</sup> year in business
Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 27 and 28, 1977. Tours of the 700,000 sq. ft.
manufacturing facility will be offered each day between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00
p.m. free refreshments, family games, and child care thanks to Girl Scout Troop
451, will be provided.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">I was impressed. The press release, timely
and concise, was properly formatted for publication. The subject matter was
also newsworthy, I had to admit.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">“Perhaps you could place an advertisement about
your event?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">“Oh no, this is news.” Miss Veronica Berringer
boldly contradicted me. Perhaps I should fill you in on our history? More than
half of our employees come from Lake Holland. We’re one of only a few local
companies that offers a living wage and medical insurance. If it weren’t for
Lake Holland Furniture, this town would be a ghost town by now.” The Lake
Holland Furniture Company open house rivaled the moon landing, according to
Veronica.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">Sue gave me a warning look. Her husband, son,
and daughter-in-law all worked at the furniture factory. The Breeze probably
did owe the furniture factory a free plug.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">“How about I find a place for it in next week’s
edition?” I compromised.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">“That will do.” Burgundy lips and flouncing tits
swirled and turned her back to me. I was dismissed. Now my nose was two inches
from her shoulder blades. I stepped back and bumped squarely into the counter.
I elbowed the tray of prospective press releases and it crashed to the floor.
Burgundy lips swished her skirt and hopped aside. I squatted to gather the
splay of paper.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">“Let me help.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">“I’ve got it.” My response was louder than
intended. I tugged at the corner of a paper. “Rip.” The paper was pinned under
the high heel of Miss Hoity-Toity.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">“I’m sorry. I hope that wasn’t important.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">I read the top half of an announcement. “Mr. and
Mrs. John Smythe celebrate their 75<sup>th</sup> wedding anniversary . . .
“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">“Not any more important than 75 years of
furniture, I suppose.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">I returned to my desk with the tray of
announcements in disarray. What had I gotten myself into? Three months on the
job, and the biggest news story so far was about furniture. Should I stick it
out or go? So far, I’d exposed the town’s award-winning apple pie recipe, the
need for new school band uniforms, and local flooding issues. The approaching
Midwest winter loomed lonely and dark.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"># # #<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black">_______________________________________________<br>
Group1 mailing list<br>
</span><span style="color:black;mso-color-alt:windowtext"><a href="mailto:Group1@bluegrasspals.com"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:blue">Group1@bluegrasspals.com</span></a></span><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"><br>
</span><span style="color:black;mso-color-alt:windowtext"><a href="http://bluegrasspals.com/mailman/listinfo/group1" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:blue">http://blue</span></a></span><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><br data-mce-bogus="1"></div>